The Truman Doctrine And The Marshall Plan

Question 1

Why did events in Greece change US policy

Answer 1

Truman was informed in 1947 the GB could no longer afford to keep troops in Greece and Turkey. If GB withdrew these countries could well come under the influence of Stalin. Truman therefore paid for the troops to be kept there and gave financial backing to the countries. This was the beginning of the US policy of containment

Question 2

What was the Truman doctrine

Answer 2

Truman announced this change of policy from isolationism to containment to the world in a speech in March 1947- he made it clear that the USA was prepared to assist any country under the threat of communism. Truman said choosing democracy over communism was like choosing good over evil. The USA would send troops and money to stop communism spreading. This was know as containment.

Question 3

What was Marshall aid

Answer 3

Truman believed poverty and hardship were breeding grounds for communism and he therefore provided billions of dollars for the wreaked economies of Europe. Between 1948 and 52 the USA gave $12.7 billion to west Europe. He also wanted these economies to recover so that they could provide a market for US produced goods

Question 4

What was the Soviet response to the Truman doctrine

Answer 4

Stalin thought it showed that the USA trying to extend its influence in Europe. He argued that the Marshall plan was a way of using economic strength to divide Europe in two. He called it dollar imperialism

Question 5

What impact did the Truman doctrine have on international relations after 1947

Answer 5

• the USA was now in direct opposition to the ussr
• Stalins suspicions of te west were reinforced
• Europe was now divided into two economic and political camps

Question 6

What did Stalin set up to rival the Marshall plan?

Answer 6

Comecon 1948

Question 7

What did Comecon allow

Answer 7

Aimed to support economic development in member states and industrial planning across east Europe countries. Trade with the west was discouraged

Question 8

What was cominform

Answer 8

Set up in 1947 in response to the Truman doctrine. Political organisations including the USSR, Czechoslovakian, Hungary, Romani and Poland.
Yugoslavia was expelled in 1948
It directed and controlled the governments of satellite states and made sure they took orders from Moscow